Russia: court extends detention of journalist Evan Gershkovich
NUJ calls for espionage charges against Gershkovich to be dropped.
The National Union of Journalists has condemned the extension of journalist Evan Gershkovich’s pre-trial detention by a Russian court. Gershkovich is the first US journalist to be arrested on espionage charges since the Cold War and faces a 20 year prison term if convicted. The NUJ and International Federation of Journalists have called for his release and for all charges to be dropped.
The Wall Street Journal reporter has spent over a year imprisoned while awaiting trial, and the latest extension granted on 26 March means he will be detained for a further three months. Gershkovich was reportedly working on a story about the Russian private military group Wagner, before his arrest.
Anthony Bellanger, IFJ general secretary, said:
“The decisions taken by the Moscow court represent yet another blatant attempt to shut independent voices in Russia. Vladimir Putin must stop holding the press hostage with such despotic practices. We demand Evan's immediate release."